Your research stays on your device.

Saved public copies, notes, journal entries, folders, imported files/photos, action dates, selected environmental links, and comparison history are stored locally. AI AFO does not upload them to an account or include your private research in public-data or EPA requests. Research files use iOS file protection and are excluded from automatic backup by the app. App preferences and a local tip thank-you are kept in device preferences. Device protections are not a substitute for your own recovery copy.

You choose items through Apple's system pickers. AI AFO copies selected items into its local research store; it does not request general access to your photo library. Original files may contain metadata, including location or author information. Selected images included in a shared brief are re-encoded to reduce metadata. Other selected documents retain their original bytes and may retain embedded metadata. Recovery files preserve original attachments, including their metadata.

Brief exports start with public information only. You can explicitly include selected private entries or files and preview the result before using the system share sheet. The destination you choose receives the exported content under its own policies. A recovery export is unencrypted and may include all your private research and original attachments. Save it somewhere you trust; anyone who can read the file can read its contents. Restore previews the validated file and adds research alongside existing work. AI AFO does not provide cloud synchronization or remote recovery.

AI AFO downloads public records from its hosted facility service, operated using Cloudflare. Requests identify the geographic cells being viewed, or request the separate unlocated catalog; they do not send private notes or the precise location fix supplied by your device. Viewed cells can reveal an approximate area of interest. The host and network operator receive ordinary network information such as IP address, request path, and transport headers. Developer-controlled Worker request logs are disabled. Cloudflare separately retains network metadata for security and service operation under its Privacy Policy. AI AFO does not control deletion of Cloudflare platform logs, and no fixed platform-log retention period is promised. The facility service fetches public datasets from Compute Atlas, Datacenter.computer, and Server Country; it does not forward each user's research to those dataset publishers. If the hosted request fails other than cancellation, or its configuration is missing, the current app may fetch global feeds/pages directly from Compute Atlas and Datacenter.computer. These fallback requests use ordinary network information such as IP address and headers, but include no private research or geographic query; the resulting records are filtered locally. Those publishers receive the request directly. We have not established their endpoint-specific retention periods; AI AFO does not control their platform logs or deletion. The Compute Atlas API documentation and Datacenter.computer contact identify the services and their published contact paths.

If you allow foreground location, AI AFO uses it to center the map. It does not maintain location history or request background location. Apple's MapKit services may receive map areas and place-search text needed to provide their services. Searching loaded project names/operators is local. When a public record lacks one clear source-described location, AI AFO automatically sends its public mapped coordinate to Apple for an approximate area and nearby street. This uses MapKit reverse geocoding on newer iOS versions and Core Location geocoding on older supported versions; it does not use your device location fix or save the result as history. Opening Apple Maps passes the selected public project location to Apple. Apple's services operate under Apple's privacy policies.

Choosing Find environmental records sends the public project's name and available public coordinates to EPA's ECHO service. It does not send your private notes, journal, files, dates, or device location fix. EPA receives normal network information and the query. Its Privacy and Security Notice describes logging of originating IP addresses and requested objects, with logs retained under Records Schedule 095. This general notice does not establish an exact retention period for each ECHO endpoint. AI AFO does not control EPA’s platform logs or deletion. Results are candidates; they do not establish identity, absence, compliance, or safety.

Foreground/background public checks start off and can be enabled in the menu. They use the public-data service described above, including while iOS permits a background check. iOS controls timing. Local reminders and public-change notifications require your choice and notification permission; they do not use a developer push-notification server. Notification text is generic and avoids private research content. An action date and a local identifier are used on-device for scheduling and opening the saved project.

Optional one-time Bronze, Silver, and Gold tips use Apple's purchase system. Apple processes payment; AI AFO does not receive payment-card details. The app verifies purchases and stores a local thank-you with a transaction identifier, level, and date. It does not send that record to an AI AFO account or developer purchase-history server. Tips unlock no feature. The app also keeps a capped local launch count and last support-prompt date to limit optional reminders; a verified tip pauses them for 12 months. These values stay in device preferences.

Opening an original source or other external link contacts the chosen website, which can receive normal network information and applies its own policies. If you contact support, the recipient and mail services receive what you choose to send. Please avoid sending private research, recovery files, or sensitive original documents unless necessary and deliberately requested.

You can remove local research in the app. Uninstalling may remove local app data. Copies that you exported or sent elsewhere must be managed at their destinations. Questions: use the contact link at AI AFO support.

Questions: support@aroundfindout.com.